5 Easy Ways To Harness Your Motivation In An Hour Or Less
Staying motivated is a struggle for most everyone. Some people have an unwavering source of internal motivation… and unfortunately I’m not one of them. That’s not to say I don’t have internal motivation, because I do. It’s just that mine is definitely not unwavering, in fact it’s rather inconsistent. I will say this — I’m allergic to failure and I will always do my personal best; however, sometimes I think, ‘Mmmmmm instead of being productive, I’m actually going to eat this plate of nachos instead.’ When I do get in these ruts, there are a few tools I employ which help to relight the ass-kicking spark. I’ve organized them by time spent…
1. If you have 2 minutes…
Strike a power pose and hold it. Certain studies that show that standing in a “power pose” for two minutes can decrease your stress levels, and significantly increase your creativity, concentration, and confidence. What do I mean by a “power pose”? Straight back, chin up, arms on hips — a pose that says I’m here, and more importantly, I’m awesome! If you want to know more about the science behind this, check out the TED talk by Amy Cuddy called, ‘Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are.’
2. If you have 5 minutes…
Read an inspiring article. When it comes to motivation, my weapon of choice is usually Forbes. Something about all those 30 Under 30 lists just gets the engine revving. Seriously, these people are like, 27, and they own own three business, give thousands to charity, are friends with the president, and have a net worth in the billions. If that doesn’t motivate you to put down the pizza, put some pants on, and do something extraordinary — then I really don’t know what will.
3. If you have 10 minutes…
Sit down and write. Maybe this won’t work for you, or maybe it will, but I have always processed my emotions and desires through writing. Write about why you’re feeling unmotivated, or what you’re looking to get out of the next month, or if you’re feeling really ballsy, what you’d like to get out of your life period. Any format will work — an outline, stream of consciousness, or a list. Once you’re done put what you wrote somewhere with high visibility — that way, there is a constant physical reminder of what you’re trying to achieve.
4. If you have 30 minutes (and good friends)…
Sit down and have coffee or a chat with someone who inspires you. This one is a bit hard — most of the people who inspire me are incredibly busy or dead. Alternatively, tell someone you’re close to you what you’re trying to accomplish and enlist their help. The more people you tell, the more accountable you become to your goals. Additionally, a good friend will not only support you, but will give you a push when needed, and call you out when you’re clearly being lazy.
5. If you have 60+ minutes…
Watch the Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. He speaks on why it’s important to actually follow through with your childhood dreams, but even better he talks about practical ways to pursue them. Having since passed away from terminal cancer, he is a truly inspiring speaker and his words continue to drive me even though it’s been over a year since I watched his talk. My favorite quote:
The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out.
The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.
They’re there to stop the other people.
So get motivated and climb those brick walls. Something amazing could be on the other side.